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For brain surgery, it seems like washing them off the implements and into the water cycle is still an enormous win in terms of risk.

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I'm not sure you understand how irresponsible that is.

Do you understand how irresponsible it is? It might be but it's obvious. How common are prions? How many prions get into the water cycle already? Prions probably don't go through the water cycle's gas phase. Are we worried about seafood? Surely lots of prions end up in oceans and lakes already.

It sounds a bit scary but it's not clear that it would change the risk profile.

That might be. I'm not an expert.

Is it more irresponsible than not removing them prior to operating on someone's brain?

You're acting like those are the only two options available, though. That's not the case.

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